Looking for some fab places to meet the jolly man in red over the festive season? I’ve pulled together this handy list of some unexpected spots to meet him and make it a day out to remember!
Father Christmas at the Albert Hall, London
6th – 24th December 2016
Don’t miss this truly wonderful traditional experience which takes you back to Victorian times. Children are invited to join Mr Rumbelow, the Hall’s Doorkeeper, to find the missing key to Father Christmas’s Grotto by solving puzzles and following some clues. And of course, Father Christmas will be in his grotto waiting to give special girls and boys a gift. Find out more.
Santa’s Grotto at the Rainforest Cafe, London
Weekends from 12th November and then daily from 28th November 2016
Join Father Christmas in his enchanted snowy woodland grotto at this indoor rainforest. Children will get a personalised grotto experience with a warm welcome from the elves, plus a meal with drink is also included for the little ones! Find out more.
Surreal Santa’s Sleigh, Sutton House, London
Every weekend from 26th November until 18th December 2016, 12 – 5pm
Santa will be waiting in a double-decker caravan where you’ll find a sweeping staircase, fireplace, chandelier and enchanting decorations! For the grown up there will be stalls and pop-up shops selling Christmas gifts and decorations, designed by a special artist! Find out more.
Santa in the Caves, Kents Cavern Torquay, Devon
4th – 24th December 2016
Santa can be found inside these atmospheric caves where his magical helpers are waiting to meet you. There’s an hour long show, the children will visit Santa and get a gift whilst you enjoy a tasty mince pie! Find out more.
Christmas Paddle to Meet Father Christmas, Beaulieu, Hampshire
10th and 17th December 2016
Father Christmas is hiding along the river in the beautiful New Forest and you need to find him! Jump in a canoe with all the family and begin your search to find the big man in red whilst enjoying the spectacular scenery. Once you find him, there will be mince pies and hot drinks, and of course a special gift for the children! Find out more.
Sail to Santa, Martin Mere Nature Reserve, Ormskirk, Lancashire
3rd – 18th December 2016 (Saturdays & Sundays only), 10am to 4pm
22nd – 23rd December 2016, 10am to 4pm
Take a trip on a very special boat to see Santa and his elves on their very own island! Children will receive a gift and they can also visit the craft room to make some festive goodies to take home. Find out more.
Christmas with Santa and Little Red Riding Hood, Puzzlewood, Gloucestershire
3rd – 25th December 2016
Visit Puzzlewood for a truly magical and unique experience this Christmas. Don’t forget to dress up as Little Red Riding Hood or the Woodcutter! You will start the journey by writing a letter to Santa, then you will walk through the woods to see Santa who will be waiting in Grandma’s house! There are also free Christmas workshops where you can make special Christmas decoration to put on your tree! Find out more.
Visit Santa at Dinosaur Adventure, Dereham, Norfolk
Every weekend from 3rd – 18th December 2016, daily from 19th – 24th December 2016, 11am – 3pm
Pay Santa that all important visit amongst the dinosaurs which of course all dino lovers will adore. There will be lots of festive fun on offer which include making super cool festive plates, and of course don’t forget you can explore this fantastic attraction! Find out more.
Santa Underground at the National Coal Mining Museum, West Yorkshire
Every weekend from 26th November – 18th December 2016, daily from 19th – 23rd December
Santa is used to climbing down chimneys and now he wants you to visit him in his underground grotto! Put on a safety helmet and make your way underground, along a snowy walkway, ready to meet Santa in his special grotto! Find out more.
Santa’s Grotto, Birches Valley Forest Centre, Staffordshire
Weekends between Saturday 26th November and Sunday 18th December 2016 (10am – 4pm)
and late nights on 1st, 2nd, 8th & 9th December 2016 (4pm – 6.30pm)
Meet Santa at his grotto which housed in a beautiful log cabin and find Santa’s real reindeer! All children who visit Santa will get a real Christmas tree sapling to take home and plant, plus a small gift. Santa’s grand arrival will take place at 10.30 am on Saturday 26th November. Find out more.
Santa Express, Longleat Safari & Adventure Park, Wiltshire
Limited dates from 11th December 2016 to 2nd January 2017
Jump aboard on a magical Santa Express! Get ready to enjoy the stunning Half Mile Lake and North Pole Halt which going to give you a wonderful white Christmas feeling, before finally meeting Father Christmas in his Grotto. Save up to 20% off tickets to Longleat Safari Park when you book through Picniq here and make sure you book early for the Santa Express tickets here as this event is very very popular!
Father Christmas Experience, Marsh Farm, Essex
Every weekend 19th November – 11th December 2016, then daily from 16th December to 24th December 2016
Be part of the magical Christmas experience at Marsh Farm! Start your journey by collecting a secret elf passport, then you will be guided by the cheeky elves to visit elf school, say hello to Rudolph the reindeer and to visit Mother Christmas’s kitchen where children can decorate their own festive treat, before meeting the one and only Father Christmas! Save up to 13% off when you book Marsh Farm tickets through Picniq here and you can book Father Christmas experience here.
Tea Party with Father Christmas, St Fagans Natural History Museum, Cardiff
17th – 20th December 2016, 11am, 1pm and 3pm
(Saturday 17th December at 11am and Monday 19th December at 11am will be in Welsh)
You’re invited to an unforgettable tea party with Father Christmas, Mrs Christmas and their elves! As well as listening to festive stories, the children will have a chance to write a special letter to the North Pole! Find out more.
Santa Claus Tours, Millennium Stadium, Cardiff
1st – 24th December 2016
Take a tour of this stadium… with a bit of a difference! The ‘Highlights’ Tour takes you around the stadium where you will visit the press suite, dressing rooms, players’ tunnel and pitch, collecting pieces of picture puzzle along to the way. When you have completed the puzzle you will discover the password to access Santa’s grotto where you’ll receive a fab gift! Find out more.
Santa’s Grotto Experience with Paddington™, Blue Water, Kent
Thursday 24th November until Christmas Eve 2016
Children will be transformed into Santa’s helpers by Bubbles the Elf using some Bluewater Christmas Magic, so they can team up with Bubbles in finding Santa’s missing key. Not only the chance to enter Santa’s workshop where toys come to life, the little ones will also have a chance to meet special guest Paddington before meeting Santa. Each child will get a special gift at the end of the visit. Find out more.
Have you visited Santa at any unusual places? Let us know where you’ve seen the jolly man in red on Facebook, Twitter and by tagging us on Instagram! 🙂
